Pleached Hornbeam Trees

Carpinus betulus creates a wonderful pleached hornbeam tree, with colourful green foliage in spring and summer, followed by crisp, copper leaves in autumn. Our stunning range of mature pleached hornbeam are the perfect choice for instant wow factor when creating hedging or screening.

Sometimes known as hedging in the sky or stilt hedging, you may have seen these fantastic specimen trees at Hidcote Manor in Gloucestershire or Harley Hall in Cheshire. Our quality pleached trees are grown by the industry's leading experts and have been carefully trained over a number of years to create beautiful screening trees.

These pleached Hornbeam trees are available in several sizes. The smaller version has an overall width of 1.5m and height of 2.25m and the larger version has an overall width of 1.8m and height of 3.2m. If you can't find the size you're looking for, please give us a call on 01943 660870.

Understanding Pleached Trees

Clear stem = the bare stem or 'leg' that the pleached tree is grown on

Head = the leafy hedge screen above the clear stem

Girth = the circumference of the stem measured 1m from ground level

Pleached Boxhead Trees

As well as the traditional pleached screening trees, we also have a great choice of Boxhead Hornbeam trees. Boxhead pleached trees are a different way of training hornbeam into a cube shape, instead of a flat screen. They make a wonderful statement and add structure, form and architecture to larger planting schemes. Boxhead trees take longer to train and this dedicated craftmanship is reflected in the cost.

Delivery of Pleached Trees

We are experienced in delivering pleached trees and understand the importance of getting these quality specimens to our customers in a timely fashion. It is important to understand that our pleached trees require a certain amount of help once they arrive on site. We recommend that for the smaller units, 2 able people will be needed and for the mature, heavier units (including boxheads) 4 people or appropriate machinery will be required.

Our Sales and Service team are on hand to discuss access requirements and arrange a convenient delivery time. Please call them on 01943 660870.

Pleached trees are delivered from October to April/May in root ball form and can be pre-ordered at any time of the year. We do have access to a range of containerised pleached trees, outside of these parameters.

Pruning Advice for Pleached Hornbeam Trees

Formative pruning has already been carefully and expertly carried out on all our pleached trees. You will just need to carry out maintenance pruning going forwards. This involves pruning to maintain the shape of the tree and also removing any diseased or damaged branches.

The bamboo frame that comes on the tree can be cut off when the pleached tree is mature enough.

Delivery Timescales

Most deliveries are made within a week of placing the order. All trees are carefully packed by our experienced team, with many despatched to our tried and tested couriers within 24 hours (please allow up to 10 days). There's no need to be in to receive your trees and you can request where they are left via the checkout.

There is a slightly longer timescale on pleached and mature trees (trees over 2.5m in height) because we group orders together by geographic area for specialist delivery - we will contact these customers to notify them of the delivery date and whether the delivery driver needs assistance.

Gift trees and those required by a specific date can be accommodated with pleasure, although we accept no legal responsibility for late deliveries.

Our nursery is a busy despatch centre, so please make an appointment to collect or view trees. For collections, despatch charges will be refunded.

Mature, pleached or 5+ large trees: Cost is calculated in the checkout process and varies by postcode. You can buy additional trees with no increase in delivery cost.

The above prices exclude the Scottish Highlands, where delivery starts from £24.95 + vat and is calculated in the checkout process.

Northern Ireland, Channel Islands and Non Mainland UK

Our courier charges are not viable for just one or two trees, but if you have a larger requirement then please do speak to us to see if we can find a solution.

Form = the shape of the tree, defined by the pruning that it has received, upon delivery. We understand it is all a bit complicated so do please phone or email our team with any questions.

Pleached

Clear stem = the bare stem or 'leg' that the pleached tree is grown on

Head = the leafy hedge screen above the clear stem

Girth = the circumference of the stem measured 1m from ground level

So, if Clear stem = 2m and Head = 1.8m x 1.2m then the total height will be 3.2m and total width 1.8m.

Pruned and shaped

Depending upon the species, this is a tree that has had pruning to help create a beautiful overall shape; this is one of our most popular forms and gives customers a tree that has received expert nurseryman attention, at a good price.

Top grafted

A tree that has been top grafted will have a height noted next to the form e.g. 'Top grafted 45cm' This number is the clear stem height, so the amount of bare stem before the branches start. Once a tree has been top grafted the clear stem will never grow any taller, only the head of branches will develop (usually in a lolly-pop or weeping shape depending on variety). Top grafted trees are ideal for smaller gardens or patios and very easy to maintain as the tree will not require any complicated pruning over the coming years.

Multi-stem

A multi-stem tree is defined as having two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. Trees with decorative bark, such as white birch, are often grown this way to give maximum bark appreciation. Customers should take care to ensure they are buying a proper multi-stem and not a "3 in a pot" type arrangement which is a much cheaper growth method (our are the real deal).

Standard Tree

A mature tree with an upright clear stem measuring from the ground to the lowest branch of approximately 1.8m-2.0m in height which then supports a branched crown. Depending on the species or cultivar, the crown may have a central leader with side branches or have a fully branched head. Standards are available in different forms which all relate to their size (see Girth). Note: although heights are given for these trees, it becomes less significant and should be used as a guide, with girth becoming more important. These trees can all be managed by one strong person (with care because they are heavy).

Standard either 6-10cm or 8-10cm girth, approximately 2.5-3.0m in height

Premium Standard 10-12cm girth, approximately 3.0-3.5m in height

Heavy Standard 12-14cm girth, approximately 3.5-4.5m in height

Extra Heavy Standard 14-16cm girth approximately 4.0-6m in height

Starter or Maiden

A starter tree, also known as a maiden, is a tree that hasn't had any formal pruning and will be quite whip-like. This form is usually applied to 1 year old trees.

Feathered

A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Bush

On our website a bush means a plant with many stems low down, rather than one singular clear stem.

Climber

A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

The product table gives the sizes and forms offered for this variety, along with photos you can enlarge (these are only a guideline as all plants are unique so vary slightly). Below are definitions of various forms, which refer to the shape of the tree defined by the pruning it has received. For more information, please contact us.

Single Stem / Pruned and shaped: Classic shaped tree with a single stem that has had pruning to help create a beautiful, natural shape.

Top grafted: A height noted next to this form refers to the length of clear stem, which will not grow taller. Only the head of branches will develop. Top grafted trees do not require complicated pruning and are ideal for small spaces.

Multi Stem: A multi stem tree is has two or more stems arising from or near ground level, growing from one root system. Take care to buy a true multi-stem like all ours and not those that are 3 saplings in a pot to cheaply imitate them.

Feathered: A feathered tree has branches from the bottom of the trunk all the way up. These branches can be removed if a clear stem is required.

Bush: A plant with many stems low down, rather than one clear stem.

Climber: A plant that is a natural climber and will be delivered usually running up a bamboo cane, ready to position in the garden.

Standard Tree: A more mature tree with an upright clear stem of approximately 1.8m-2.0m (measured from the soil to the lowest branch), which supports a branched crown. Standards are available in different forms relating to their girth size (circumference of the stem measured 1m above soil level), not height.